An Alaskan Proposal

by Beth Carpenter

  “It was my senior year of high school. My mom is a massage therapist. One of her clients here was opening a new spa in Scottsdale, and convinced my mother to come down and help her get it started. I tried to get my parents to let me stay in Anchorage. My dad still had his business, so he was up here half the time anyway, but Mom wouldn’t go for it. She dragged my sister and me down to Arizona with her. I hated it.”

  “Why?”

  “It was just... I don’t know. Wrong. Fake. No snow. No salmon. I didn’t fit in at school. Wrong clothes. Wrong car.”

  “Wrong attitude.”

  “What?”

  “Wrong attitude. It’s no wonder you didn’t make friends. If someone came to your school in Anchorage, complaining about how boring Alaska was because it didn’t have outlet malls or their favorite restaurant chains, would you want to be their friend?”

  He considered. “Probably not.”

  “It sounds like to me you were looking for an excuse to be unhappy. If you’d tried to fit in, you might have found things to like in Scottsdale.”

  “Is that what you’re doing?”

  “What?”

  “Trying to fit in? Looking for things to like?”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing. And you know what? I do like it. I like seeing the mountains every day when I drive to work. I like walking the dog before bedtime and meeting people still out working in their gardens. I like my coworkers.”

  “You like living in an empty apartment?”

  “It’s fine. No use spending a lot of money on furniture until I’m sure where I’ll land. I was able to pick up this stuff at a thrift store once I arrived.”

  He looked again at the chair, with its curved legs, shield-shaped back and patterned cushion. “That’s a nice chair. I’m surprised someone gave it up.”

  “Thanks. It looks a lot better with a coat of paint and a new seat.”

  “Wow. You did that?”

  “Mmm-hmm. I like to paint and upholster.”

  “Speaking of painting.” He nodded toward the front wall with only the edges painted. “What’s the deal here?”

  “The landlord offered me a break on rent if I’d shampoo the carpet and paint the walls. As you can see, it’s been a slow process.”

  “It looks great.” He went closer to the walls she’d completed. “Not a single smear. I painted my bathroom last year and spent more time cleaning up my mistakes than painting. You’re really good.”

  “I told you. You should have traded for painting instead of this wedding.”

  He grinned. “Maybe I should have, but it’s too late now. Are you ready to go?”

  “I am.” She gathered a tiny purse and a deep blue shawl from the top of her kitchen counter. “Bye, pup. Be a good boy while I’m gone.”

  Leith waited while she locked the door. “That’s his name? Pup?”

  “No. I’m not naming him, because I’m not keeping him.”

  “How long ago did you bring him home?”

  “Last Monday evening. It’s been superbusy at work this week, and the private shelter where I want to take him has odd hours. I’ll take him next week.”

  “Uh-huh.” Leith didn’t argue, but he knew. The bed, the toys and the loving way she’d interacted with the dog gave her away. She might tell herself it was only temporary, but all the signs were there. That dog wasn’t going anywhere.

  * * *

  SABRINA WASN’T SURE what she’d expected a reindeer farm to look like, but this wasn’t it. They parked in front of a rambling farmhouse, painted a crisp white with green shutters. From the parking lot, she could see a big red barn set against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains. A bunch of animals, presumably reindeer, milled around inside a fence. Beyond that was a newer-looking metal barn.

  Leith had been right about the shoes. The gravel parking area would have done a number on the leather heels of the stilettos she’d been wearing. Whenever she wore the Bianchis she’d found tucked away in a consignment store, she felt like a runway model. At first. It usually took about an hour of standing before the pain outweighed the pleasure. She could stand all day in these ankle-tie espadrilles with a medium wedge.

  A woman wearing black pants and a crisp tuxedo shirt stepped out onto the porch. “Hey, Leith, how are you?” She set the clipboard she was holding on a chair and hurried over to hug him. “It’s been too long.”

  “I’m good. Sabrina, this is my friend Marissa. She and Chris own the farm. They got married here, what, a year ago?”

  “Almost. There’s been so much going on around here, but we need to get together. We’ll have to plan something soon. Hi, Sabrina. Welcome to the reindeer farm.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Leith, go on inside. Zack, Erik and Sam are already here. Ryan can show you where they are.” She retrieved her clipboard. “Sabrina, I was just about to go check the barn, to make sure the flowers are set up. Would you like to come?”

  “I would. I know barn weddings are trending, but I’ve never been to one.” With a wave at Leith, Sabrina followed Marissa across an open area toward the barn.

  “That’s a fabulous dress.” Marissa glanced over it as they walked. “It’s designer, isn’t it?”

  “Actually, this one is my own design.”

  “I love it. I’ve never met a designer before. Do any of the stores here carry your clothes?”

  “I’m not a professional designer. I took some design classes in college but went into merchandising instead.”

  “Do you work for one of the big department stores?”

  “No, I’m working for Orson Outfitters in their management training program.” Sabrina decided it was time to change the subject before her sad story of layoffs and job hunting came up. “How about you? How does someone become a reindeer farmer?”

  “I grew up here. My aunt and uncle established the farm, and last year Chris and I took over operation. I’m also a wildlife biologist, so I’m only a part-time reindeer farmer.”

  “Wildlife biologist. So you, what? Study the animals?”

  “Exactly. Right now, I’m involved in a bear study part-time. Chris and I have been putting a lot of time into fixing up the reindeer farm. I’ve been selected for a full-time position to study caribou populations starting in the fall, so we’re trying to get as much accomplished this summer as we can.”

  As they got closer, Sabrina could see a few graceful deer heads with huge antlers poking over the top of the pen. It was a unique setting. “Do you do a lot of weddings?”

  “Actually, this is the first. After we had our own wedding here, a few people asked about renting the barn for weddings and parties. We needed more room anyway, so we decided to build a new barn for the animals and convert the old one. Since I’ll be working full-time after this summer, I’m hoping to get this wedding thing organized to the point the rest of the family can take over.”

  That sounded like a huge project. Sabrina looked around. “How many people are coming?”

  “About seventy. We’re using the field near the highway for parking, and my uncle Oliver will ferry people back and forth in the reindeer cart.” Marissa glanced at her watch. “Unfortunately, one of the groomsmen forgot his tie, so Oliver volunteered to drive into town to get it. Chris is on the phone, trying to fix some last-minute problem with the band, and my aunt Becky is supervising the caterers. That leaves me to get the reindeer harnessed and hitched up once I’ve checked on the flowers.” Marissa pushed a huge sliding door to one side.

  They stepped inside. White tablecloths topped round tables scattered through the area, with hand-lettered place cards at every spot. A row of flower baskets and one larger arrangement of roses and baby’s breath lined up across a rectangular table along one wall. A punch bowl and the wedding cake were set up in the corner.

  An arched candelabrum decorated w
ith flowers divided the table area from rows of folding chairs, which faced a raised platform at the end of the barn. Twin pillars with floral arrangements of daisies, peonies and delphiniums rested on the platform. Overhead, sheer ribbons in shades of pink and burgundy were draped over a center beam and fanned out to the sides to create almost a floating-ceiling effect. Lights twinkled between the ribbons.

  “Oh, no! They set it up backward, and they didn’t put out the centerpieces. It’s right here on the plan.” Marissa snatched a piece of paper from a table near the door and pointed to the detailed diagram. “That’s clearly labeled north. Besides, who would put the wedding arch at the back?” Marissa rubbed her forehead. “I don’t have time for this.”

  “Why don’t you let me set up the flowers while you do whatever you do with the reindeer?” Sabrina offered.

  Marissa eyed her, clearly tempted. “Are you sure?”

  “All I have to do is follow the plan, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Okay, then. You go do your reindeer thing and I’ll handle the flowers.” When Marissa hesitated, she added, “I’ve done dozens of store displays. I’ll be careful. I promise.”

  Marissa gave a relieved smile. “You’re a lifesaver. Thank you.”

  A boy about the age of Leith’s niece galloped through the door, almost knocking over a table. “Aunt Becky says I can help you with the reindeer if I promise not to get dirty.”

  Marissa grabbed the table to steady it. “Careful, Ryan. Say hello to Sabrina. She’s our first guest.”

  “Oh!” He stood at attention and offered his hand. “Hello. Welcome to the reindeer farm.” After Sabrina returned his greeting and shook his hand, he turned to Marissa. “Was that right?”

  Marissa grinned. “Perfect. Sabrina is going to help us by doing the flowers while we harness the reindeer.”

  “But you said the guests don’t work.”

  “I’m sort of a special guest who came early to help out,” Sabrina explained. “I’m with one of the groomsmen.”

  “Oh. Okay. See ya later.” The boy grabbed Marissa’s hand. “Who’s gonna pull the wagon? Belle?”

  “Yes, and I was thinking we might try Tannenbaum in as a wheeler today.” She waved at Sabrina as they walked out the door. “Do you think he’ll behave?”

  “Yeah,” the boy said. “Uncle Oliver says his training is going real good.”

  “You mean ‘well.’”

  “Well what?” Their voices faded as they moved away.

  A rose head rested on the floor near the table. Ryan must have knocked it off. With a little adjustment, the arrangement looked fine, though, so no harm done. Sabrina set the damaged flower on the table to dispose of later. She checked the plan and went to work, moving the candle arch to the platform in the front and the two arrangements behind the chairs, where people would pass between them as they walked up the aisle. Humming as she worked, she straightened blossoms and fluffed bows until the arrangements were perfect.

  The baskets for the dining tables were either white daisies trimmed with pink ribbon, or pink flowers with white ribbons. After consulting the plan again, Sabrina arranged them so the colors were evenly distributed through the room and moved a more elaborate arrangement to the long table in one corner, where the cake was set up. She studied the effect. Nice, but the proportions weren’t quite right. The flowers needed more visual weight to offset the punch bowl.

  She looked around for something to use as a pedestal, but her eye fell on the damaged flower. Perfect. She stripped the pink petals from the rose head and scattered them around the floral arrangement on the snowy tablecloth. There. Instant romance.

  “Oh.” Marissa had come in while she was busy. “That wasn’t on the plan.”

  “No, but one of the roses had dropped, so I thought I’d scatter the petals. I can brush them away if you don’t like it.”

  “No, don’t. It looks good.” Marissa gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry. I tend to get a little weird when my plans don’t go right. Chris is always giving me a hard time about sweating the small stuff. Honestly, it’s a huge improvement. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, and I understand. I know what it’s like when plans go off-track. Is everything else coming together?”

  “I think so. The food is coming along nicely. Oliver is back with the tie and has the parking signs set up. Chris seems to be on top of the musician problem.”

  Ryan ran inside again. “Oliver says I can ride along and help drive the reindeer if it’s okay with you.”

  “That’s fine, as long as you remember to be polite to the guests.”

  “Okay.” The boy hugged Marissa then turned and ran out of the barn. “She said yes!”

  “Ryan is your son?”

  Marissa beamed. “Yes, he is. The adoption was finalized two months ago, so Chris and I are officially Ryan’s mom and dad.”

  “With all it entails.” A smiling man with reddish-brown hair and beard walked into the barn and slid his arm around Marissa’s waist. “Last crisis solved. I got through to a friend in Eagle River, and a new amp is on the way to replace the one the musicians dropped from the back of their truck.” He offered a hand to Sabrina. “Hi, I’m Chris.”

  She shook hands. “Sabrina.”

  “I thought so. Leith said to find the pretty girl with flowers on her skirt. I’m supposed to ask if you’ll come show the other guys the knot you used for Leith’s tie. What’s it called?”

  “A Windsor knot.”

  “That’s the one.” He shook his head. “The group includes three survival experts and an engineer. I was a sailor. Between us, we probably know how to tie a hundred different knots, but that’s not one of them. Good thing you’re here.”

  “Isn’t it?” Marissa said. “She fixed the flowers, too. We may have to put Sabrina on staff as a wedding troubleshooter.”

  “Just glad I can help.” Sabrina picked up her clutch and tucked it under her arm. “Where do I find these guys with ties?”

  Chris took her to a bedroom in the farmhouse, where Leith waited along with three more men in identical suits, including Erik, the tall guy she remembered from the company team-builder. He looked surprised to see her. “Oh, hey, it’s Explo—umph.” A sharp blow from Leith’s elbow interrupted him.

  Leith stepped toward her. “This is Sabrina, my date. Sabrina, you probably remember Erik. This is Zack, the groom, who also works with us at Learn & Live. And this is Sam, who was on the same hockey team as Zack and me in middle school.” Sam was the only one besides Leith whose tie was tied, although the knot was smaller. Erik’s tie hung loose around his neck, and Zack held his in his hand, staring down at it as if he’d never seen one before.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Sabrina.” Sam stepped forward. “Leith says you’re the tie expert.”

  She laughed. “I wouldn’t say ‘expert,’ but I promise I won’t blow it up.” She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Erik, who hid a grin. “Here, let me show you a Windsor knot.”

  “Can I video this?” Chris asked. “For future weddings?”

  “Sure.” Sabrina took the tie from Zack and stood in front of the mirror, demonstrating step by step as the groomsmen followed along. When she’d finished, she gave the tie back to Zack to slip over his head and tightened the knot. “There you go. Windsor knots are best for spread collars. You’ll want a smaller knot like a four-in-hand for a button-down.”

  “Four-in-hand.” Chris made a note. “I’ll look into that one. Maybe print instructions.”

  “Good idea. Anything else I can help you with while I’m here?” Sabrina noticed the corsage box on the table. “You know how to attach your boutonnieres?”

  “Well, now that you mention it...” Zack shrugged.

  Sabrina laughed and reached for the white rose. “Hold still.”

  * * *

  LE
ITH LOOSENED THE knot Sabrina had so carefully crafted in his tie and relaxed into his chair. The wedding had gone off without a hitch. For dinner, they’d been seated at a table with Volta and Emma; Sam, his wife, Dana, and their toddler, Griffon; and two of the bride’s aunts, identical twins Virginia and Georgia. They must have been some of the problem relatives the bride had to separate from the rest of the family. One of them, Leith wasn’t sure which, had spent most of the dinner sneezing and blaming the barn for her hay fever, while the other kept insisting it was all psychosomatic. Since Leith could detect no sign of hay and the whole place had obviously received a recent coat of paint, he tended to side with the second aunt, although he wasn’t silly enough to get in the middle of what was obviously a long-running debate.

  During dinner, Chris and Marissa had cleared the chairs from the wedding end of the barn, creating a dance floor. The aunts watched the band set up and decided, based on the musicians’ hair, that the music wouldn’t be to their liking. They’d left early, to everyone’s relief.

  Emma was all giggles and excitement this evening, wearing her “flower” dress that flared out when she twirled, as she’d demonstrated for Sabrina several times. Leith wasn’t sure what to make of Emma’s sudden desire to wear dresses and look pretty. He was a lot more comfortable with the tomboy he’d always known who liked to stomp in puddles and catch frogs. While the aunts were dominating the conversation with their bickering, Emma had been entertaining Griffon by making goofy faces.

  “Eww, something stinks,” Emma announced now.

  “And that’s my cue. Come on, son. Let’s go find a place to change you.” Sam grabbed a diaper bag from the back of Dana’s chair, lifted Griffon from her lap and bent to kiss his wife. Leith suppressed a groan. All this huggy-kissy wedding stuff was getting to him.

  “I’ll go with you,” Volta told Sam. “I need to find the ladies’ room.”

  Sabrina was talking to Dana about her move to Alaska when the music changed, and Emma jumped to her feet. “I know this one! Come on, Sabrina. You and Dana have to dance with me.” Emma grabbed Sabrina with one hand and Dana with the other to tug them toward the dance floor.